Apparatus for coating pipes



July 15, 1952 BRYAN 2,602,980

APPARATUS FOR COATING PIPES Filed Oct. 14, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l 1N VEN TOR.

BY Mayo .6. 59x4 y 5. 1952 L. 1.. BRYAN 2,602,980

APPARATUS FOR COATING PIPES Filed Oct. 14, 1949 A s Sheets-Skieei 2 seni- INVENTOR. N mayo L. 52x4 N @zu ArraeA/Er 1952 L. L. BRYAN 2,602,980

APPARATUS FOR COATING PIPES 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 14, 1949 V; i I BY d A rroelvs r Patented July 15, 1952 APPARATUS FOR COATING PIPES 7 Lloyd L. Bryan, Bartlesville, kla., assignor to C. Price 00., Bartlesville, Okla., a corporation of California Application October 14, 1949, Serial No. 121,439

14 Claims.

The present invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for applying a coating such as concrete mortar to the surface of certain structures, such as pipe, piling, columns and the like.

The invention is particularly applicable to the external coating, of metal pipe of large diameter used in the construction ofgpipelines with concrete or similar material for the purpose of protecting the metal against corrosive and other deleterious influences.

An important feature of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus which deposits a relatively thick coating material to a pipe while in an upright position in order to insure a coating of uniform thickness. The apparatus comprises generally a circular trowel having a hopper associated therewith, means for raising and lowering the trowel assembly and a turntable for supporting a plurality of pipes in an upright position and conveying one pipe at a time to the trowel assembly for performing the coating operation.

A primaryobject of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for applying a relatively thick coating to'a pipe wherein the coating is substantially uniform in thickness.

A further object of, the invention is to provide a novel arrangement for properly centering the pipe being coated during the coating operation.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a novel turntable arrangement whereby the pipes are properly supported in an upright position and wherein the pipes can be readily applied to and removed from the turntable.

A still further feature oft-he present invention is the provision of. a novel form of vibratory hopper and trowel "assembly which facilitates the proper application of the coating material in a simplified manner.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more-fully apparent from the following detailed description and from the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the improved apparatus forming the subject matter of the present invention with certain parts broken away and shown in section. J

Figure 2 is atop plan view .of the apparatus.

Figure .3 i558 vertical sectional View through.

. 2 the hopper and trowel assembly at the completion of the coating operation. 7 A

Figure 4 is a similar view at the beginning of the coating operation.

Figure 5 is a detail view of a constructional feature of the hopper and trowel assembly.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the article to be coated is shown as a metal pipe lfisupported in a vertical. position on a rack l l positioned adjacent the circumference of a turntable l2 rotatably supported on rollers l3. As shown in the present embodiment there are ten such racks but it is readily apparent that a larger or smaller number of racks'can be used."

The rack consists of a spud l4, terminating in a conical portion I5' adapted to fit within the lower open end of thepipe ID. The spud M'is rigidly secured to the turntable but may beremovable in order that spuds ofdifferent diameters can be substitutedfto accommodate pipes of different diameters. Surrounding each spud and drical tube I6 having its lower edge secured to the turntable and its upper edge flared outwardlyv at I! to form a bottom funnel. Suitable flanges H are provided for reinforcing purposes.

The hopper l8 comprises a frusto-conical member terminating at its upper end in a vertical flange H? to which a pair of bail members 20 are suitably secured; The lower end of the hopper is open and is provided with a' horizontal flange 2| to which a circular trowel 22'is secured through a complementary horizontal flange 23 and bolts 24. The lower opening of the hopper is co-extensive with the diameter of the interior of the circular trowel and when lowered over the pipe tobe coated is spaced therefrom a distance equal to the thickness of the coating to be provided. As shownin Figures'l and 4, in the lowermost'positionlof the hopper, the lower, edge of the circular -'trowel.re'sts on the lower Tunnel member I! andis centeredthereby. 'A'pluralit-y Although any conventional means such as-a crane ma y-be;provided forraising or lowering the hopper and trowelassembly; a novel feature of the present invention is the provision of a vertical track or guide for mounting the hopper whereby the hopper may be held in proper concentric relationship with the pipe or cylindrical object. Referring to Figure 1, the vertical track or guide comprises a pair of spaced vertical rails comprises a vertical tubular section 32 of suffl.

cient diameter to encircle the upper end of the pipe I0. Spaced from the lower edge of said tubular section and secured to the interior surface thereof is a cap member 33 adapted to rest on the upper edge of the pipe section, thereby serving as a stop for limiting the downward movement of the cap assembly. The lower edge of the tubular section 32 is flared outwardly at 34.

to more readily receive the upper edge of pipe ID, and carries a horizontal circular flange 35 whose outer diameter is slightly greater than the inner diameter of the lower open end of the hopper for a purpose to be described. I

The upper end of the tubular section 32 is con nected to a horizontal tubular support 36 carried by an upper car 31. The car 31 is provided with suitable rollers 38 slidably engaging the rails 21. It will be readily apparent that the cap assembly, when in place on the pipe cooperates with the rack H to rigidly support the pipe in a definite spaced relationship with the tower.

As seen in Figure l, a concrete mixer 39 for supplying the coating material is supported on,

a suitable platform 40 carried by the skeleton tower 2B. The mixer includes .the usual supply chute 4| and a pivoted delivery chute 42. The mixer is supported at a height above the base of the tower to clear the upper edge of the hopper when in lowermost operativeposition.

The raising and lowering apparatus for the hopper comprises a winch assembly 43 geared to a motor mounted at the upper end of the skeleton tower 28. A pair of brackets 45 extend laterally from the tower adjacent the winch assembly and carry rollers 46. positioned above the cap assembly 3|. The winch drums 41 are provided with the usual cables 48 which extend over the rollers 45 and connect to the bails 20.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

The pipes lll'which are to receive the concrete or cement'coating 49'are positioned on the studs l4. Kit is desired to provide wire mesh reinforcingwhichis only required in'heavier coverings, tubular sections of wire mesh indicated by the numeral'50' are dropped over the pipe and rest on'the lowerfunnel [1. It will be noted that the diameter of the tubular sections of wire is such as to be completely embedded in the covering of concrete mortar. The hopper assembly is" then lowered over the pipe adjacent the tower until the lower edge of the circular trowel comes 'to' rest on the bottom funnel IT. The chutei42" is .then positioned over the hopper and sufficient concrete mortar indicated by numeral 5| is supplied to the hopper to cover one section of pip'e which is generally about forty feet in length." The cap assembly is then lowered over thetop' end 'of-the pipe thusjanchoring the pipe in position-. The cap assembly also serves as a guage for the uniform finishing of the upper end of concrete covering, and as a gate for the bottom of the hopper as will be pointed out.

The winch assembly, which lowered the hopper onto the pipe, is then reversed slowly drawing the hopper upward. As the hopper moves upwardly, the vibrators 26 are actuated thereby urging the mortar downwardly to be deposited uniformly around the pipe. The circular trowel 22 insures a smooth surface. It will be understood that the upward rate of travel will be synchronized with the proper deposit of mortar around the pipe l0. When the upper end of the pipe is reached, the lower end of the hopper engages the flange 35 on the cap assembly and lifts the cap oif the pipe. In this position, the cap assembly serves as a gate for the bottom of the hopper so that excess concrete will not drop out of the hopper.

At thispoint the'vibrators 26 are shut off, the turntable rotated to bring the next pipe section into position and the hopper lowered over said next pipe section. As the hopper is lowered, the

cap assembly is automatically set in place on top of the next section. When the hopper is positioned on the bottom funnel, it is recharged from the concrete mixer, the vibrators are re-started and the operation repeated.

Although-a specific embodiment of the present apparatus has been-illustrated and described, it will be apparent that numerous changes may be made without departing' -from the inventive concept. For example, in place of the tower supporting the hopper and the operating means, a crane can be used for raising and lowering the hopper. It is also within the concept of the present invention to make the supporting rack and hopper member replaceable to accommodate pipes of different diameters. Accordingly, I do not wish to be limited precisely to the details of construction herein shown and described except as may be required by the scope of the appended clainis. T 1

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the coating of pipes and like bodies with a cementitious material comprising means for supporting a pipe in an upright position-said means comprising an upright support, a funnel surrounding said support, said pipe being positioned between said support and said funnel, a hopper for containing cementitious material adapted to surround said pipe and reciprocate vertically along said pipe for depositing said material on said pipe and means for reciprocating said hopper.

2. Apparatus for the coating of pipes and like bodies with a cementitious material comprising means for supporting a pipe in an upright position, said means comprising an upright support, a funnel surrounding said support, said pipe being positioned between said support and said funnel, a hopper for containing cementitious material adapted to surround said pipe and reciprocate vertically along said pipe for depositing said material'on said pipe, said hopper in its lowermost position adapted to rest on said funnel, a circular trowel depending from the lower edge of said hopper and 'co-exten'si've therewith and means for reciprocating said hopper.

3. Apparatus for the coating of pipes and likeposition, a hopper for containing cementitious material adapted to surround said pipe and reciprocate vertically along said pipe for depositing said material on said pipe, and means for reciprocating said'hopper. l

4. Apparatus for the coating of pipes and like bodies with a cementitious material comprising, a turntable, a plurality of means positioned circum ferentially on said turntable; 88,011.70; said means adapted to supportapipe in anupright position, said means comprising an upright support, a funnel surrounding said support, said pipe being positioned between said support and said funnel, a hopper for containing cementitious material adapted to surround said pipe and reciprocate vertically alon said pipe for depositing said material on said pipe, and means for reciprocating said hopper.

5. Apparatus for the coating of pipes and like bodies with a cementitious material comprising, a turntable, a plurality of means positioned circumferentially on said turntable, each of said means adapted to support a pipe in an upright position, said means comprising an upright support, a funnel surrounding said support, said pipe bein positioned between said support and said funnel, a hopper for containing cementitious material adapted to surround said pipe and reciprocate vertically along said pipe for depositing said material on said pipe, a circular trowel depending from the lower edge of said hopper and co-extensive therewith, a vibrator mounted on said hopper and means for reciprocating said hopper.

6. Apparatus for the coating of pipes and like bodies with a cementitious material comprising, means for supporting a pipe in an upright position, a hopper for containing cementitious material adapted to surround said pipe and reciprocate vertically along said pipe for depositing said material on said pipe, means for reciprocating said hopper, and a cap member supported on the upper end of the pipe, said cap member adapted to close oil the lower end of the hopper when in contact therewith.

7. Apparatus for the coating of pipes and like bodies with a cementitious material comprising, means for supporting a pipe in an upright position, a vertical trackway adjacent said pipe, a hopper for containing cementitious material adapted to surround said pipe and reciprocate vertically along said pipe for depositing said material on said hopper, means extending from said hopper and slidabl along said trackway, and means for reciprocating said hopper.

8. Apparatus for the coating of pipes and like bodies with a cementitious material comprising, means for supporting a pipe in an upright position, a hopper for containing cementitious material adapted to surround said pipe and reciprocate vertically along said pipe for depositing said material on said pipe, a cap member supported on theupper end of the pipe, said cap member adapted to close off the lower end of the hopper when in contact therewith, a. vertical trackway adjacent said pipe, means extending from said cap member and slidable along the trackway, and means for reciprocating said hopper.

9. Apparatus for the coating of pipes and like bodies with a cementitious material comprising, a turntable, a plurality of means positioned circumferentially on said turntable, each of said means adapted to support a pipe in an upright position, a hopper for containin cementitious material adapted to surround said pipe and reciprocate vertically along said pipe'ifordepositing said material on-said pipe; a tower adjacent said turntable, a concrete mixer supported in said tower for supplying concrete to said hopper, and motor operated meansat the upper end of the tower for raising or lowering the hopper.

10. Apparatus for the coating of pipes and like bodies with a cementitious material comprising, a turntable, a 'plurality of means positioned circumferentially en' -said turntable;=*eaoh 'of said means adapted to" supporttapipe in an upright position, said means com'prisinga'nupright support, a funnel surrounding said'jsupport, said pipe being positioned between said support and said funnel, a hopper for containing cementitious ma terial adapted to surround said pipe and reciprocate vertically along said pipe for depositing said material on said pipe, 9. cap member supported on the upper end of the pipe, said cap member adapted to close oil the lower end of the hopper when in contact therewith, and means for reciprocating said hopper.

11. Apparatus for the coating of pipes and like bodies with a cementitious material comprising, a turntable, a plurality of means positioned circumferentially on said turntable, each of said means adapted to support a pipe in an upright position, said means comprising an upright support, a funnel surrounding said support, said pipe bein positioned between said support and said funnel, a hopper for containing cementitious material adapted to surround said pipe and reciprocate vertically along said pipe for depositing said material on said pipe, a vertical trackway adjacent said pipe, means extending from said hopper and slidable along said trackway, and means for reciprocating said hopper.

12. Apparatus for the coating of pipes and like bodies with a cementitious material comprising, a turntable, a plurality of means positioned circumferentially on said turntable, each of said means adapted to support a pipe in an upright position, said means comprising an upright support, a funnel surrounding said support, said pipe being positioned between said support and said funnel, a hopper for containing cementitious material adapted to surround said pipe and reciprocate vertically along said pipe for depositing said material on said pipe, a tower adjacent said turntable, a concrete mixer supported in said tower for supplying concrete to said hopper, and motor operated means at the upperend of the tower for raising or lowering the hopper.

13. Apparatus for the coating of pipes and like bodies with a cementitious material comprising, a turntable, a plurality of means positioned circumferentially on said turntable, each of said means adapted to support a pipe in an upright position, a hopper for containing cementitious material adapted to surround said pipe and reciprocate vertically along said pipe for depositing said material on said pipe, a vertical trackway adjacent said pipe, means extending from said hopper and slidable along said trackway, a tower adjacent said turntable, a concrete mixer supported in said tower for supplying concrete to said hopper and motor'operated means at the upper end of the tower for raising or lowering the hopper.

14. Apparatus for the coating of pipes and like bodies with a cementitious material comprising, a turntable, a plurality of means positioned circumferentially on said turntable, each of said means adapted to support a pipe in an upright position, a hopper for containing cementitious material adapted to surround said pipe and reciprocate vertically along said pipe for depositing said material on said .pipe, 5, capmember supported on the upper end of the pipe, said. cap member adapted to close oif thelower end of the hopper when in contact therewith, a, vertical trackway adjacent said pipe,-means extending from said cap member and slidable along the trackway, a tower adjacent'said turntable, a concrete mixer supported in said tower for supplying, concrete to said hopper, and motor operated means at the upper end of the tower for raising or lowering the hopper.

, LLOYD L. BRYAN.

8 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 288,034 Detrick NOV. 6, 1883 867,658 Hoopes et a1 Oct. 8, 1907 1,906,981 Linder et a1 May 2, 1933 2,053,307 Wilson Sept. s, 1936 

